Steel Doors

Chapter One

   Fuck, fuck, FUCK. I am so fucking late, I need to go. NOW. My comforter flew off my body in a whirl, and I hurled myself into my bathroom. My cat, Peanut, almost tripped me straight into the sink. I turned my toothbrush on while applying a very messy eyeliner and light foundation that it almost made it look like it was drawn on by my niece. She's three. I groaned and spit my foamy backwash into the drain, and ran to my closet. I grabbed my usual black work pants, a turquoise blazer, and black stiletto heels. I miraculously put them all on perfectly, but the heels almost tripped me up. Literally AND metaphorically..... Yeah, I'll stop cracking jokes now.
   Wow, I almost might make it there. Only ten minutes late this time! I grabbed my car keys, and my purse and headed for the front door of my condo. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and widened my eyes. MY HAIR. I almost screamed out loud, but sucked it up and grabbed a hair tie from my nightstand and threw my long brown hair into a sleek ponytail. I waved goodbye to Peanut, and locked my door. The elevator was open, and someone was standing inside.
   "Hey. Hey! I'm here, please hold it!" My heels clicking and clacking down the white tile flooring. The man inside looked at me, smirked, and I heard him press the close door button.
   "Better luck next time, neighbor." I furrowed my brows, and scoffed. Excuuuse me? I pressed the elevator button, and huffed. Jeremy Mediza, you are now on my hit list. I crossed my arms, and tapped my foot on the ground until the elevator opened back up. Mrs. Williams came out in her walker, and usual floral cardigan. "Good evening, Julia! How is your morn-"
   "No time, I'm so sorry! I'll catch up at bingo!" I smiled wearily, and closed the doors quickly. She nodded, and I saw her vanish into a thick, black wall. I leaned my body against the mahogany paneling, and glanced at my phone. 8:37AM. Okay, I have exactly twenty-three minutes to make it across town with the morning traffic, AND the new construction that's happening on Route 12. I cracked my neck and my fingers, preparing myself for the aggravating ride. I jumped up and down a few times, rattling the elevator against the shaft and immediately stopped out of nervousness. I even apologized to the elevator. Talking to inanimate objects now, Julia?
   The stainless steel doors opened, and I was now in the parking garage. I swung open the glass door, and ran to parking spot 5B. While clicking my car key, I caught a glimpse of Jeremy heading to his motorbike. I stopped in my tracks, and a flood of fury rained down upon me. He's such a prick, not worth your time boo-boo. I nodded, scrunched up my nose, and continued my original direction.
   I climbed inside my beat up Toyota Corolla, and ignited the engine. My car reeked of last night's dinner, and old car seats. While regretting my life choices, I put my car into reverse, and headed to the wind up exit bar down the ramp. I heard a faint bike engine getting closer, and closer, until Jeremy was in my point of view. He was heading towards the exit as well, and I gripped the steering wheel as hard as my manicured nails could handle. He is NOT taking my elevator ride, and my spot in exiting the garage. Not today, Satan! I pressed harder on the gas pedal, and I saw his helmet look at my direction, then he crouched down lower and sped up as well. I gritted my teeth, and reached for my purse to grab my parking pass ID card. I unzipped my faux designer bag, and then I heard the sound. Thunk. I screeched to a halt, and caught my breath. Please don't let this be another flat tire, I just bought new ones. I begrudgingly sat up straight and gasped. I rolled down my window to see Jeremy laying on his back on the concrete, and his bike laying sideways against a curb. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest, and I immediately opened my door and ran out to see if he was okay.
   "Jeremy, are you okay?!" I yelled while crouching down next to him. He let out a painful groan, and rolled onto his side. A gash the size of New Hampshire ran alongside his forearm. Blood started dripping onto the ground, and I calmed my breathing down.
   "The hell is wrong with you, Julia?" He reached to open the sun visor on his helmet, and his icy blue eyes pierced my soul. I gaped my mouth open in astonishment.
   "First of all, you didn't hold the elevator open for me when I was clearly in a rush. And second of all, I was heading towards the exit first!" I directed my hand to my car, and he rolled his eyes.
   "You are such a child." He started trying to sit up on his own, but was in a lot of pain. I quickly glanced at the hood of my car, and winced. A human sized dent. That's just great.
   "Yeah, well this child is late for work. If none of your bones are broken, I bid you a good day." I gave him a sarcastic salute and got back up from the ground. I walked towards my open car door, and hopped inside. He glared at me for a good couple seconds, but ended up moving back to his bike. While holding his injured arm up against his chest, he managed to lift up his bike from its spot on the curb. I exited the garage, and looked at my phone. 8:45AM. This is a great morning, Julia. You are now super duper late, not just super late. Christina is gonna eat me alive, then spit me out, and then make me clean up my own mess and leave her office.